The BHI is led by the University of Ottawa and its affiliated research institutes in collaboration with institutional partners McGill University and the University of Saskatchewan. Core Academic Members include researchers from these institutions with substantive research programs directly relevant to brain-heart health and the BHI Scientific Strategy. Researchers must be confirmed as a Core Academic Member before applying to BHI funding opportunities as Principal Applicant or Co-Principal Applicant. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic researcher based at University of Ottawa or affiliated research institutes, McGill University or University of Saskatchewan
• Eligible to hold Tri-Agency funding as Principal Investigator
• Commitment to substantive program in integrated brain-heart research aligned with the BHI model of research co-production

Requirements

• Complete BHI core training on the BHI Cross-Cutting Themes
• Complete uOttawa Count Me In self-identification survey (after April 2025)
• Acknowledge BHI in relevant publications, knowledge mobilization products, events and outreach
• Participate in biennial BHI State of Science Summit
• Participate in BHI events (e.g., annual IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Social Justice) event), projects and committees as requested and relevant
• Contribute to BHI performance measurement

Benefits

• Eligible for BHI funding opportunities as Principal Applicant or primary Supervisor. Core members are also eligible as Co-Applicants or other relevant applicant categories.
• Can attend BHI conferences and events free of charge
• Access to BHI-supported platforms and services (e.g., core facilities, cross-cutting themes).
• Receives BHI newsletters and can leverage BHI communications to promote research, events and accomplishments.

Core Partner Members include patient and Indigenous partners and other knowledge users who participate in a leadership role as Co-Principal Applicant on one or more BHI project, or as a member of a BHI governance committee.  

BHI defines patients as individuals with lived experiences with a health issue, informal caregivers (including family and friends) and/or individuals that are at risk of, or otherwise, affected by brain-heart conditions. Knowledge users are people, including representatives of communities and organizations who are likely to use research results to make informed decisions, or anybody who may benefit or be otherwise affected by research results. This can include, but is not limited to Indigenous leaders and communities, patients, health professionals, community-based organizations, health charities, health system leaders, policy-makers, and private sector organizations in Canada or internationally. Individuals will automatically be identified as a Core Partner Member through participation in a BHI-funded project (e.g., as Principal Applicant - Knowledge User) or a governance committee. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Interest in integrated brain-heart research

Requirements

• Complete uOttawa Count Me In survey (after April 2025)
• Acknowledge BHI in relevant publications, knowledge mobilization products, events and outreach
• Complete core training on the BHI Cross-Cutting Themes
• Participate in BHI events, projects and committees as requested, relevant and feasible
• Contribute to BHI performance measurement as requested and relevant

Benefits

• Eligible for BHI funding opportunities as Co-Principal Applicant – Patient or Knowledge User; Co- Applicant – Patient or Knowledge User; or Co-Supervisor
• Can attend BHI conferences and events free of charge
• Receives BHI newsletters and can leverage BHI communications to promote research, events and accomplishments 

Core Trainee Members include trainees and post-doctoral fellows based at University of Ottawa, affiliated institutions, McGill University and University of Saskatchewan whose primary activities are directed towards brain-heart research. Trainees will automatically be identified as a Core Trainee Member if supported through a BHI-funded project or a BHI training award (internships, MSc, PhD or PDF) and/or participation in a BHI governance committee.

Eligibility Criteria

• Trainee or post-doctoral fellow based at University of Ottawa or affiliated research institutes, McGill University or University of Saskatchewan
• Interest and research activities in integrated brain-heart research

Requirements

• Complete BHI core training on the BHI Cross-Cutting Themes
• Complete uOttawa Count Me In self-identification survey (after April 2025)
• Acknowledge BHI in relevant publications, knowledge mobilization products, events and outreach
• Participate in biennial BHI State of the Science Summit
• Participate in BHI events (e.g., annual IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Social Justice) event), projects and committees as requested and relevant  
• Contribute to BHI performance measurement

Benefits

• Eligible for BHI training programs as Principal Applicant
• Eligible for BHI research funding opportunities as Co-applicant
• Can attend BHI conferences and events free of charge
• Access to BHI-supported platforms and services (e.g., core facilities, cross-cutting themes)
• Receives BHI newsletters and can leverage BHI communications to promote research, events and accomplishments